New Ultra XG11665 Pentastar cartridge pics.

[Sayjac]

Mentioned this on another Pentastar cartridge thread, new made in China XG11665 looks pretty good to me. I know many liked the made in S Korea XG cartridge and have been disappointed in one made in Brazil. Happened to be an open Ultra box so decided to check it out. Sorry pics not the best but tough in store to compose. Anyway, looks to be wire backed full synthetic media and a quality cartridge for ~$11. If looking for a little higher end cartridge this one would fit the bill imo.

 

[fantastic]

If some don't want the deformed media that are usually posted here on these this should be great. Don't need to even blink an eye about the leaf spring issue either. win/win Nice looking filter.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The last time I checked out those oil filters, the Endurance was actually cheaper for that particular filter

 

[Sayjac]

The last time I checked out those oil filters, the Endurance was actually cheaper for that particular filter

I didn't look at the FE but ~$13 here. Just remember how Pentastar folks really liked the SKorea made Ultra cartridge, and to me this one looks equally well made.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I didn't look at the FE but ~$13 here. Just remember how Pentastar folks really liked the SKorea made Ultra cartridge, and to me this one looks equally well made.

also, what is the date code on your Ultra? 02172... the last digit got cut off

 

[Sayjac]

... what is the date code on your Ultra?...

No idea. Perhaps if I get back to WM and it's still there I'll check. The idea was to show that unlike the first replacement for the S.Korea made XG, ie. the Brazil made cartridges posted here, this one looks to be a quality XG cartridge again.

 

[IndyFan]

Looks good to me. The Pentastar Twist never bothered me. All UOA's indicated good filtration. I doubt the twisting, which really isn't that bad, really matters. I'm more interested in the Ultra's high performance with actual filtration, which is what it is supposed to do, whether it looks pretty, or not.

That said, I wonder if the construction and design are the same? I tore apart a S. Korea Ultra years ago and that sucker was unbelievably hard to tear. I had to use two pairs of pliers to do it. It was some kind of nylon or monofilament mesh backing the media and it really held together. From the pic, this looks similar, although the mesh looks darker in color. Could be just the lighting in the photo, though.

 

[Sayjac]

Wanted to get the date code answer for @slacktide_bitog, but not the best part of what I found. After I got the date code, thought I'd check out the Endurance FE11665 and I found a surprise. It looks to me like the XG is currently the same cartridge as the FE. And I did check for swap shenanigans. Pretty confident both same cartridges. Now I don't know if same at all WM, so YMMV. Maybe FB saw how bad the Brazil made XG was and made a change. IDK As for comparison of S Korea made cartridge to topic, the SK made used clear polymer backing like the Boss. XG/FE look to be wire type.
XG date code

Endurance FE11665 cartridge

 

[ZeeOSix]

^^^ Looks like it says "Royal Purple" on the end cap of first filter photo.

 

[Sayjac]

^^^ Looks like it says "Royal Purple" on the end cap of first filter photo.

Great catch, with the lighting in the store I could not see it and it's covered over with some kind of marker. Didn't notice it until you mention it. Interesting, doesn't change that I think XG and FE same, at least here. If you look at the very first pic can see where it's been covered over with marker too.

 

[Hootbro]

^^^ Looks like it says "Royal Purple" on the end cap of first filter photo.

Sure does. Looks like they took a Sharpie to it.

 

[Glenda W.]

^^^ Looks like it says "Royal Purple" on the end cap of first filter photo.

That’s bizarre…

 

[Hootbro]

That’s bizarre…

I have a feeling it is a third party contract made filter for FRAM and not made by any FRAM owned entity. I have seen a few listings on Amazon of off brand "Premium" filters for Pentastar's that look very similar in terms of the white media but unknow if they are also wire backed. Probably the same company in China cranking these out for everybody.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I have a feeling it is a third party contract made filter for FRAM and not made by any FRAM owned entity.

The one that says "Royal Purple" on it was probably made by someone for Champ Labs (apparently in an off-shore factory - maybe subbed out?), who also make the Endurance (same with the Royal Purple and Endurance in spin-on form), and maybe even some of the Ultra cartridge filters. Seems like a lot of cartridge oil filters are subbed out to other manufactures.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Does look like it was covered with a black marker for some reason.

 

[mitsuman47]

Had something to pick up at my local China-Mart and checked one of the XG11665’s here. Same thing.

And, yes it appears to be permanent marker.

 

[Sayjac]

Thinking about it further, the marked out RP name not all that shocking. FB owns Champ, and they make RP filters. So, there's either supply chain issues with the Brazil made XG cartridge or FB saw how poor they were and looked for a quick and EZ solution. A Sharpie fit the bill. In any case, it's good news for Pentastar cartridge buyers/users 'at least for now'. All kinds of surprises with the XG 11665 cartridge.

 

[OVERKILL]

That’s bizarre…

Not really, just underscores the theory we've had for a while now that the RP, EaO and Endurance (or in this case, Ultra) were likely the same filter.

 

[Glenda W.]

Not really, just underscores the theory we've had for a while now that the RP, EaO and Endurance (or in this case, Ultra) were likely the same filter.

I agree. Just the use of the black marker

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

I agree. Just the use of the black marker

Wonder what that Sharpie add pack does to the oil, doubt it’s API approved